Injured Falcao included alongside River duo in Colombia World Cup list

Monaco star Radamel Falcao was today included in Colombia's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil, as the ex-River Plate man battles to recover from a cruciate ligament injury in time to make the tournament.

'El Tigre' was picked by coach José Pekerman along with two member of the current 'Millonario' squad, central defender Eder Álvarez Balanta and forward Teo Gutiérrez.

Falcao suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in a heavy tackle in during a French Cup win at Chasselay back in January, which had put his World Cup plans in serious jeopardy. But after undergoing knee surgery, the striker maintained hopes of regaining fitness; and today's call-up is a big boost for his chances.

Interest was so keen in his native Colombia that at the moment of the squad announcement, the Colombia Football Federation website crashed due to the amount of traffic received.

San Lorenzo defender Carlos Valdes also makes the cut for the 'Cafeteros', who will play the World Cup for the first time since 1998.